’Enjoy yourself. I imagine it feels wonderful.’
Xia Wuyang smiled faintly. He searched through Fushou Hall and took some treasures unknown to the outside world.
Unfortunately, she didn’t have any Miracle Treasures here. Some of the more precious items were known to the outside world, so he didn’t dare take them casually.
’I’ll just wait for another chance. There’s no rush.’
After finishing everything, he checked the scene again to ensure no traces were left behind.
With his Companion Talent, Mental Force Field, checking for any oversights, not even a Super Grade Celestial Human could discover anything unusual. Perhaps only the True Monarchs stood a slight chance.
Returning to Wenhua Hall, Xia Wuyang removed his Disguise and changed back into the "sickly" elder Crown Prince. He first enjoyed some time with the Qiuci Dancer, then "logically and reasonably" returned to his Practice Room to rest.
Everything was seamless. Even the most astute investigator would only think that Princess Fushou had a mishap in her own Cultivation.
Even Princess Fushou herself would believe so.
The modified Soul Capturing Technique and Enchanting Heart Technique were far more terrifying than he had imagined.
The next morning, screams from Fushou Palace once again shook the Imperial Palace.
Palace Attendants found Princess Fushou collapsed in her secret chamber, unable to move or do anything at all.
The Imperial Physician shook his head repeatedly after his diagnosis. "Her Eighth Highness has suffered a Qigong Deviation. Her Sea of Consciousness is severely damaged. With currently known methods, she cannot be cured. Unless we can find legendary Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, there’s only a slight chance. Otherwise, she will remain in a catatonic state for the rest of her life."
The news reached Qianqing Palace, and Emperor Xia was once again furious. Princess Xiu Min had just recently fallen into a catatonic state, and now Princess Fushou had as well. It was far too much of a coincidence.
Moreover, far too many Princes and Princesses had met with accidents recently. ’Could it all be a coincidence?’
But after investigating the scene multiple times and finding no traces whatsoever, he had no choice but to accept this conclusion.
Qigong Deviation was not uncommon in Cultivation. Furthermore, Princess Fushou had just broken through to the Upper Three Grades, so her Qi Blood would have been unstable. An accident was plausible.
The only thing that frustrated Xia Wuyang was that even though Princess Fushou was now catatonic, the assassination mission from the Blood Tower had not been canceled.
After all, Princess Fushou had already paid, and a Blood Tower Elder had accepted the mission. Unfortunately, it wasn’t one of the Clan Elders from the Northern Zhao Family; otherwise, he could have had them give it up directly.
That Blood Tower Elder was not on good terms with the Northern Zhao Family’s Clan Elders. The mission had also been reported to the Blood Tower’s master, so it could no longer be canceled.
Fortunately, according to the news from Zhao Wuji, the one who took the mission was only a Second Grade Perfection Grandmaster. If Yan Jiuge was careful, she might be able to evade the assassination.
If he could kill that Blood Tower Elder, the mission would be automatically canceled, unless Princess Fushou could produce another hefty bounty.
According to Blood Tower rules, if an assassin dies during a mission, the contract is voided, and the payment received is not refunded.
If one wanted to hire the Blood Tower again, they would have to pay an even higher price.
With Xia Wuyang’s current strength, killing a Second Grade Perfection Grandmaster, even one who was a Blood Tower Elder, was not a difficult task.
Yan Jiuge was a Second Grade Grandmaster and had some ability to protect herself against a Blood Tower assassin. As long as she could delay him for a short while, Xia Wuyang could rush to her aid immediately.
Xia Wuyang had also used the Soul Capturing Technique and Enchanting Heart Technique to mobilize a group of small animals to secretly watch Yan Jiuge’s residence. If they spotted anyone suspicious, they would report to him at once.
What he hadn’t expected was how quickly the Blood Tower assassin would arrive. Thankfully, he had already made preparations.
The uproar caused by Princess Fushou was still ongoing, but the Blood Tower assassin had already appeared near the Eastern Palace under the cover of night.
The night was exceptionally quiet. Yan Jiuge was cultivating in her courtyard.
She wore a crimson martial arts outfit, her jet-black hair tied back casually. Her exquisitely beautiful face seemed to have a faint glow, and her bright eyes shone brilliantly in the night.
As the princess of the Fire Spirit Race, Yan Jiuge had a unique and dazzling aura. She seemed as fiery as a flame, yet she also possessed the cold chill of snow on a high mountain.
Ice and fire combined perfectly in her. Her aura alone was enough to make one obsessed, not to mention that besides her temperament, Yan Jiuge’s beauty was also second to none in the world.
At this moment, she was practicing a Secret Technique of the Fire Spirit Race, surrounded by a faint crimson halo, like a phoenix reborn from the flames.
Just then, a black shadow silently infiltrated the Eastern Palace, moving through it with practiced ease. He was clearly familiar with the layout, meaning someone must have revealed the palace’s floor plan.
It was likely none other than Princess Fushou.
The black shadow flitted about like a ghost and soon concealed himself near Yan Jiuge’s courtyard, carefully observing her movements.
As a Top Level assassin of the Blood Tower and an Elder-level existence, Night Owl was known for his precision and ruthlessness.
At this moment, he was like a venomous snake waiting for the perfect moment to strike. What he failed to notice was a small bird flying away from a spot not far from him.
’The princess of the Fire Spirit Race truly lives up to her reputation. Her beauty is unparalleled,’ Night Owl mused. ’A shame she has to die tonight. What a waste. And I won’t even get a taste.’
As 1:00 AM approached, Yan Jiuge’s Cultivation reached a critical moment.
Night Owl saw his chance. Like an arrow loosed from a bowstring, he shot toward Yan Jiuge.
*SWISH...*
A poisoned dagger aimed straight for Yan Jiuge’s back, its speed astonishingly fast and utterly silent.
As a Second Grade Perfection Grandmaster who had one foot in the First Grade Realm, Night Owl’s strike contained the power to shatter mountains and split stone. If it landed, Yan Jiuge would be completely unable to resist it.
"Who’s there?"
Startled, Yan Jiuge spun around, hastily circulating her Cultivation Technique to defend herself.
Her slender, jade-like hand struck the side of the dagger, producing a piercing sound.
Although Yan Jiuge reacted in time, her Cultivation was ultimately inferior to her opponent’s, as were her combat experience and skills. Coupled with the fact that she didn’t have a proper weapon on hand, she was sent flying by the impact.
A sweet taste rose in her throat, and a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of her mouth.
"Second Grade Perfection!"
Yan Jiuge was horrified. ’His strength is solidly above mine! Add to that a surprise attack and a Top Level Mortal Artifact in his hand... I’m no match for him at all.’
Night Owl gave her no chance to breathe. His dagger was like a viper’s tongue, every move a deathblow aimed at her vital points.
Yan Jiuge struggled to hold on. Her red clothes were already slashed in several places, and beads of blood seeped from her snow-white skin.
The most dangerous strike grazed her neck, slicing off a few strands of her black hair and nearly slitting her throat.
Although Yan Jiuge had narrowly avoided it, she was already panting, her body drenched in fragrant sweat.
’It seems there’s no escaping my doom today!’ A look of resolve flashed in Yan Jiuge’s eyes. ’Even if I die, I’ll make this villain pay a price. It’s just a shame I can’t see my husband off on his final journey.’

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